Businesses are closing permanently around the Bay Area because of the coronavirus pandemic, but that has not stopped one California company from opening its new San Francisco shop this week.
"We generally have a grand opening but this is it right now," said Drew Dolkas, VP of sales and operations for the outdoor menswear company Roark. "Thanks for coming."
The new retail location is on Chestnut Street in San Francisco's Marina neighborhood. The store was initially supposed to open back in April, but that was postponed because of public health restrictions.
While it is not the opening they had in mind, Dolkas said they are grateful that the shop is able to open at all.
"It's exciting. It's really exciting," said Dolkas.
"It's a relief," said co-founder Ryan Siriani. "It's the opposite of nervous. It's been built up so long with the three and a half month break."
Siriani said they never once considering not opening the store during that long break. While retail has taken a major hit because of the coronavirus pandemic, Siriani said the company was founded after the economic downturn in 2008, so they are up to the challenge.
"And we want to be part of the community and part of the reopening and have people excited to see something new and shop," he said.
Roark already has a shop in Berkeley and a strong online presence. Online sales and savvy budgeting has kept Roark afloat in the meantime. And it doesn't hurt to sell outdoor gear when so many are itching to hit the road.
"Now more than ever I think people are taking advantage of your local spots. Just hop in the car and see where it takes you," said Dolkas.
Because the company can afford to open the store, Dolkas says they felt a sense of responsibility to carry on.
"We want to do our best to support the communities and support our employees and our coworkers," he said. "Yeah, keep it as positive as possible. Mask up, hang out."
